Patch Management

Patch management is the process of identifying, testing, and deploying software updates, or 'patches,' across an organization's systems. These patches are released by software vendors to fix security vulnerabilities, correct bugs, and improve functionality. From a security perspective, patch management is one of the most critical and effective controls for reducing an organization's attack surface. Attackers constantly scan for systems running unpatched, vulnerable software. Exploits for newly discovered vulnerabilities are often developed and shared quickly among attackers. An organization that fails to patch its systems in a timely manner is leaving a wide-open door for these attackers. Many of the most damaging cyber attacks in history, such as the WannaCry ransomware outbreak, were successful because they exploited a known vulnerability for which a patch was already available. A robust patch management lifecycle involves several steps: 1. Discovery: Maintaining an inventory of all systems and the software versions they are running. 2. Prioritization: Assessing the criticality of new patches. A patch for a severe, remotely exploitable vulnerability in a public-facing web server should be prioritized much higher than a minor bug fix for an internal application. 3. Testing: Deploying the patch in a non-production environment first to ensure it doesn't cause any unintended issues or break other applications. 4. Deployment: Rolling out the patch to the production environment. This can be done in phases to minimize disruption. 5. Verification: Confirming that the patch has been successfully installed across all relevant systems. Effective patch management is a continuous and disciplined process that is fundamental to good cybersecurity hygiene.